Lily laid on her back, starfishing, dozing. Iain had no choice but to balance precariously on the slither of mattress left, trying not to fall out. It wasn't exactly comfortable, but he didn't care too much. He was mindful she'd had a busy shift, and he was only glad she was finally getting some rest.

In the dim lighting that the bedside lamp provided, he turned to glance at her. Her hair was splayed on the pillow, its deep brown tones contrasting with the almost alarming brightness of the white cotton.

Dark shadows still encased her eyes, worn out but beautiful. And, she pouted in her sleep; it was painfully cute.

Exhausted himself but unable to nod off, he exhaled through pursed lips. The roar of traffic was audible from outside, but he heard her breathing softly. She remained undisturbed, absolutely fine. He wondered whether to leave the window or to shut it. The room smelled musty, but he didn't want it to get too cold.

She managed to stretch even further, kicking him hard, and he noticed the temperature of her feet. Ice. She stirred, luckily, so he could ask her about the window.

'Are you cold?' He whispered.

'No.' She replied, pressing the sole of her foot to his leg deliberately.

'That's how it is, is it? I'm just a radiator?'

'Yes,' She sighed contently. He chuckled, baffled, realising she was still half asleep.

He cleared his throat, which made her roll over and open her eyes fully.

'What you doing?' She asked, voice sleep-addled.

'Just scrolling. Looking at some photos from old friends. Wide awake, that's all.' He explained. She nodded, thoughtful.

'If I'm disturbing you, I'll turn the brightness down?' He offered.

'No,' She answered quietly. 'I'm up too.'

After another few seconds, he clicked his phone off and turned to her. 'Well. We're both awake. The world is asleep. I say we take advantage of it.' He whispered, reaching out and grazing her shoulder with his fingers. She responded to the touch, leaning in slightly.

'Those words are so easy to say while you're not looking at me though.'

'I can turn the light on fully if you'd rather, I'll look you straight in the eye and repeat myself.' He said.

A giggle. 'What is wrong with you? It's like the middle of the night.'

'Likewise, that question could be asked from me to you.'

'You're just being silly.' She gave a sigh and rolled over onto her stomach.

'I'm not, you're clearly restless. What else is there to do?' He asked.

'Talk.' She replied plainly.

'Talk?' He said.

'Yeah, talk.'

'Well, about what?' He replied.

'No depth at all in your brain! Use your imagination. The past, the future, everything.'

'My head hurts to talk.' He complained.

'But it doesn't hurt too much to think about sex?'

'That's not hard to think about.' He answered.

'Hmph.' She responded.

'Why the noise?' He laughed.

'Well! You make me despair, Iain.' She said.

'You love it though, I bet you're smiling away to yourself now.' He chuckled.

'I'm not.' She replied, but he could hear it in her voice. He turned his head with a quick movement and she held the pillow over her face.

'I saw!' He exclaimed, pointing at her. 'I knew it.'

'Shut up.' She replied, embarrassed.

'That's becoming a bit of a thing, isn't it? Telling me to shut up.'

'Because you're always chatting, that's why!' She laughed.

He glanced at her with a little gulp, feeling guilty that she'd awoken.

'It took us so long to get here.' He reached out a hand, and she laced her fingers with his.

'I know. Worth the wait.' She whispered.

'Yeah.' He nodded. 'It really is.'

'So, what are we now?'

'I don't know.' He frowned. 'I mean what I said earlier. I'd stay.' He paused for a moment, in thought. 'That would be on the basis that you were willing to give things a go though. No hiding, no secrets, not from anyone else or each other. Alright?' He asked.

She stayed quiet. He felt as if he could read her mind. It was as if the silence was screaming 'no deal' back at him. She loved him, she'd said so, but she was very image conscious and publicising things would make her rethink.

'Lils?' He whispered. His brows knitted together when he saw her shoulder shake slightly. 'Hey hey hey, stop that.' It had become all too easy to comfort her. Her back was soon pressed up against his chest after he pulled her in with one arm.

Feeling the vibration of every shudder, he instantly felt bad. His common sense told him he'd not done wrong and that he'd simply forgotten she hadn't slept, but it didn't stop the guilt. 'You need to sleep.'

'I won't be able to now.' She whispered.

He gave a sigh. 'Lily, you're knackered. We can talk tomorrow. It'll be clearer then.'

'I just don't want people to know.' She explained.

'I know you don't. But I don't want to keep a secret.' He replied. 'Look, don't stress out right now. Just sleep.'

She looked at him, and he could almost see the panic in her eyes. He realised at once. It was usual for them to fall asleep, and then for one of them to leave before the other next opened their eyes.

'No.' He just shook his head quietly. 'I'll still be here.' Lily breathed in, eyes still fixed on his. 'Trust me.'

They stayed pressed up against one another, in the most innocent sense of the phrase, for the whole night long. Iain didn't really sleep. His mind was too busy. He felt zapped of energy, and craved the sanctuary that was his own bed.

But some things were more important.

He waited nearly the full seven hours for her to wake up with this thought in mind.

So, even amount of votes for Home and Letters to Lily, so I'll try to update both of them. This one is more tricky to write but will try all the same. Apologies, it's only a filler chapter, haven't updated in ages though :-)